Man wielding BB handgun charged with armed robbery

Published: Friday, January 18, 2013 at 11:35 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 18, 2013 at 11:35 a.m.

A man accused of pointing a BB handgun at a loss prevention officer Thursday evening was tackled by the store employee and later was taken into custody by an Ocala police officer.

Kevin Elijah Madison, 50, was charged with armed robbery and was taken to the Marion County Jail.

Madison was carrying a Walther CP99 Compact BB Gun, according to the arrest report. He told Officer Mike Phillips that his intention was to go to Bealls and steal some jewelry for his wife’s birthday. He said he had the BB gun in his left pants pocket when he walked into the store.

Madison admitted removing several packages of jewelry and leaving the building without paying for them. He said he ran when the loss prevention employee identified himself. He said he reached into his pants pocket and removed the BB gun, but denied pointing it at anyone, according to the report.

The store employee told the officer it appeared Madison had the handgun up and was about to point it at him. He said he was scared and tackled him to the ground.

The jewelry was valued at $210.

Court records show Madison has numerous convictions dating back to 1990 for offenses such as possession of a firearm or a concealed weapon by a convicted felon, domestic battery and failure to appear for a jury trial.

<p>A man accused of pointing a BB handgun at a loss prevention officer Thursday evening was tackled by the store employee and later was taken into custody by an Ocala police officer.</p><p>Kevin Elijah Madison, 50, was charged with armed robbery and was taken to the Marion County Jail.</p><p>Madison was carrying a Walther CP99 Compact BB Gun, according to the arrest report. He told Officer Mike Phillips that his intention was to go to Bealls and steal some jewelry for his wife's birthday. He said he had the BB gun in his left pants pocket when he walked into the store.</p><p>Madison admitted removing several packages of jewelry and leaving the building without paying for them. He said he ran when the loss prevention employee identified himself. He said he reached into his pants pocket and removed the BB gun, but denied pointing it at anyone, according to the report.</p><p>The store employee told the officer it appeared Madison had the handgun up and was about to point it at him. He said he was scared and tackled him to the ground.</p><p>The jewelry was valued at $210.</p><p>Court records show Madison has numerous convictions dating back to 1990 for offenses such as possession of a firearm or a concealed weapon by a convicted felon, domestic battery and failure to appear for a jury trial.</p>